Any of the better graphics packages will do what you want and you can automate much of the process by implementing a macro. I use PSP 8 to make buttons. For each type of button I use, I've created one or two macros that ease the pain. Usually all I have to do is type in the button label. The macro takes care of creating the 3D effect I want for text (the 1-pixel shadow as you suggest) and saving the finished button in the appropriate format. I can make a button with the text I want in (maybe) 10 seconds.

Quick user-friendly features are not PENG's strong point. For example, although you can position a frame by dragging it, you can't dimension it by stretching a side or corner. You have to type in the dimensions. Ugly.